Fuzzy spatial assignment and NSGA-II approach to multi-objective covering problems in substation expansion planning
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12928/ijio.v7i2.14108Keywords:
Multi-objective covering problem, Fuzzy c-means, NSGA-II, K-means clustering, Substation planningAbstract
This study addresses a large-scale Multi-Objective Covering Problem (MOCP) in urban electricity distribution, involving 416.472 customers and 732 substations. The main objective is to optimize the allocation of customers to substations, taking into account trade-offs between three objectives: minimizing average service distance, balancing load, and minimizing substation investment costs. To achieve this, we propose a hybrid framework that combines a constrained fuzzy C-means algorithm for customer assignment, NSGA-II algorithm for multi-objective optimization, and K-means clustering for facility expansion. The results show a trade-off between the objectives, with the composite evaluation identifying k=7 as the best compromise. Statistical validation confirms the significance of these results. Significantly, the proposed framework can generate scalable solutions for MOCP in the real world. By integrating construction cost data and spatial data, the model shows a 15% reduction in substation investment costs and an 8% increase in service reliability. This research provides practical insights for distribution network planners, by offering a data-driven approach to determine the optimal number and strategic placement of additional substations, considering trade-offs between cost, performance, and spatial constraints.
References
R. S. F. Ferraz, and A. C. R. Medina, “A Comprehensive Multi-objective Optimization Framework for Balanced Distribution System Planning,” J. Control. Autom. Electr. Syst., vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 117–133, Feb. 2025, doi: 10.1007/s40313-024-01134-5.
M. Kumar, A. Soomro, W. Uddin, and L. Kumar, “Optimal Multi-Objective Placement and Sizing of Distributed Generation in Distribution System: A Comprehensive Review,” Energies, vol. 15, no. 21, p. 7850, Oct. 2022, doi: 10.3390/en15217850.
M. A. Brahami, M. Dahane, M. Souier, and M. Sahnoun, “Sustainable capacitated facility location/network design problem: a Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm based multiobjective approach,” Ann. Oper. Res., vol. 311, no. 2, pp. 821–852, Apr. 2022, doi: 10.1007/s10479-020-03659-9.
J. Huang, “Optimal substation capacity planning method in high-density load areas considering renewable energy,” Energy Reports, vol. 9, pp. 1520–1530, Sep. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2023.04.104.
M. E. Țiboacă-Ciupăgeanu and D. A. Țiboacă-Ciupăgeanu, “Optimal Substation Placement: A Paradigm for Advancing Electrical Grid Sustainability,” Sustainability, vol. 16, no. 10, p. 4221, May 2024, doi: 10.3390/su16104221.
S. Vahedi, M. Banejad, and M. Assili, “GIS-Based Substation Expansion Planning,” IEEE Syst. J., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 959–970, Mar. 2021, doi: 10.1109/JSYST.2020.3010565.
X. Tian, H. Yang, Y. Ge, and T. Yuan, “Site Selection and Capacity Determination of Electric Hydrogen Charging Integrated Station Based on Voronoi Diagram and Particle Swarm Algorithm,” Energies, vol. 17, no. 2, p. 418, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.3390/en17020418.
N. Zheng, K. Chen, Q. Cai, Y. Li, P. Shi, and K. Xiang, “Active Distribution Network Substation Planning Method Considering Complementation of Load Characteristic,” in 2021 6th Asia Conference on Power and Electrical Engineering (ACPEE), Apr. 2021, pp. 1730–1734, doi: 10.1109/ACPEE51499.2021.9437113.
A. Bosisio, A. Berizzi, M. Merlo, A. Morotti, and G. Iannarelli, “A GIS-Based Approach for Primary Substations Siting and Timing Based on Voronoi Diagram and Particle Swarm Optimization Method,” Appl. Sci., vol. 12, no. 12, p. 6008, Jun. 2022, doi: 10.3390/app12126008.
R. J. Kuo, C. C. Hsu, T. P. Q. Nguyen, and C. Y. Tsai, “Hybrid multi-objective metaheuristic and possibilistic intuitionistic fuzzy c-means algorithms for cluster analysis,” Soft Comput., vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 991–1008, Jan. 2024, doi: 10.1007/s00500-023-09367-3.
S. E. Hashemi, F. Gholian-Jouybari, and M. Hajiaghaei-Keshteli, “A fuzzy C-means algorithm for optimizing data clustering,” Expert Syst. Appl., vol. 227, p. 120377, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.eswa.2023.120377.
D.-D. Yang, M. Mei, Y.-J. Zhu, X. He, Y. Xu, and W. Wu, “Coverage Optimization of WSNs Based on Enhanced Multi-Objective Salp Swarm Algorithm,” Appl. Sci., vol. 13, no. 20, p. 11252, Oct. 2023, doi: 10.3390/app132011252.
R. J. Kuo, Y. R. Zheng, and T. P. Q. Nguyen, “Metaheuristic-based possibilistic fuzzy k-modes algorithms for categorical data clustering,” Inf. Sci. (Ny)., vol. 557, pp. 1–15, May 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.ins.2020.12.051.
L. Tang, S. Chen, and Q. Li, “Optimizing Maintenance Resource Scheduling and Site Selection for Urban Metro Systems: A Multi-Objective Approach to Enhance System Resilience,” Systems, vol. 12, no. 7, p. 262, Jul. 2024, doi: 10.3390/systems12070262.
T. T. Teo, “Optimization of Fuzzy Energy-Management System for Grid-Connected Microgrid Using NSGA-II,” IEEE Trans. Cybern., vol. 51, no. 11, pp. 5375–5386, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.1109/TCYB.2020.3031109.
Q. T. Vu, P. T. Nguyen, T. H. Nguyen, T. T. B. Huynh, V. C. Trinh, and M. Gidlund, “Striking the perfect balance: Multi-objective optimization for minimizing deployment cost and maximizing coverage with Harmony Search,” J. Netw. Comput. Appl., vol. 232, p. 104006, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.jnca.2024.104006.
N. Chakrabarty, K. M. Sullivan, and D. B. Lopes da Silva, “Time-based redeployment of multi-class nodes for reliable wireless sensor network coverage,” Comput. Ind. Eng., vol. 197, p. 110549, Nov. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.cie.2024.110549.
A. Majeed and S. O. Hwang, “A Multi-Objective Coverage Path Planning Algorithm for UAVs to Cover Spatially Distributed Regions in Urban Environments,” Aerospace, vol. 8, no. 11, p. 343, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.3390/aerospace8110343.
Y. Tong, L. Lin, L. Tian, Z. Wang, W. Wu, and J. Wu, “Coverage optimization and node minimization in WSNs: an enhanced hybrid PSO approach with spatial position encoding,” Sci. Rep., vol. 15, no. 1, p. 25332, Jul. 2025, doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-09849-4.
M. Wasid and R. Ali, “A frequency count approach to multi-criteria recommender system based on criteria weighting using particle swarm optimization,” Appl. Soft Comput., vol. 112, p. 107782, Nov. 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.asoc.2021.107782.
R. F. Liji, P. Sreejaya, M. Sasikumar, and K. J. Seelan, “An Improved Image Inpainting Technique Using Fuzzy Hard C-Means Algorithm,” Advances in Commun. Syst. and Networks, 2020, doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-3992-3_21.
F. Wang, Y. Geng, and H. Zhang, “An improved fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm based on intuitionistic fuzzy sets,” Proceedings of the 9th Int. Conf. on Computer Engineering and Networks, 2020, doi: 10.1007/978-981-15-3753-0_32.
W. Zhao, X. Bian, and X. Mei, “An Adaptive Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm for Solving Heterogeneous Green City Vehicle Routing Problem,” Appl. Sci., vol. 14, no. 15, p. 6594, Jul. 2024, doi: 10.3390/app14156594.
R. Xu and D. WunschII, “Survey of Clustering Algorithms,” IEEE Trans. Neural Networks, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 645–678, May 2005, doi: 10.1109/TNN.2005.845141.
M. Shalaby, A. Mohammed, and S. Kassem, “Supervised Fuzzy C-Means Techniques to Solve the Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem,” Int. Arab J. Inf. Technol., 2021, doi: 10.34028/iajit/18/3A/9.
F. Fanian and M. Kuchaki Rafsanjani, “CFMCRS: Calibration fuzzy- metaheuristic clustering routing scheme simultaneous in on-demand WRSNs for sustainable smart city,” Expert Syst. Appl., vol. 211, p. 118619, Jan. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.eswa.2022.118619.
C. Gao, M. Quan, C. Yang, P. Gao, and J. Zhang, “Multi-Objective Resource Optimization Allocation of Road-Domain Integrated Energy System Considering Hydrogen Energy Storage,” in 2024 International Conference on HVDC (HVDC), Aug. 2024, pp. 263–270, doi: 10.1109/HVDC62448.2024.10723022.
Z.-A. Sergio, P. B. Tatiana, B. D. Stalin, L. G. Edwin, and F. John Fredy, “Optimal subtransmission switching using a reliability simulation-based multi-objective optimization model,” Electr. Power Syst. Res., vol. 210, p. 108068, Sep. 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.epsr.2022.108068.
K. Djouzi and K. Beghdad-Bey, “A Review of Clustering Algorithms for Big Data,” in 2019 International Conference on Networking and Advanced Systems (ICNAS), Jun. 2019, pp. 1–6, doi: 10.1109/ICNAS.2019.8807822.
H. Erick and M. Dirik, “Data Analysis for Smart Grid and Communication Technologies,” Int. Conf. Sci. Innov. Stud., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 331–342, Apr. 2023, doi: 10.59287/icsis.621.
V. Konstantinos, Y. Karras, J. Kohlhammer, M. Steiger, D. Tzovaras, and E. Gounopoulos, “Enhanced Visual Analytics Services for the Optimal Planning of Renewable Energy Resources Installations,” 2014, pp. 330–339. doi: 10.1007/978-3-662-44722-2_35.
D. V. Nga, O. H. See, D. N. Quang, C. Y. Xuen, and L. L. Chee, “Visualization Techniques in Smart Grid,” Smart Grid Renew. Energy, vol. 03, no. 03, pp. 175–185, 2012, doi: 10.4236/sgre.2012.33025.
H. Elba, H. Hegazy, J. Zhang, I. M. Mahdi, and H. M. Hassan, “Optimizing steel structures for solar panels: integrating artificial intelligence and web-based Decision support systems for enhanced efficiency and sustainability,” Innov. Infrastruct. Solutions, 2025, doi: 10.1007/s41062-024-01831-9.
T. Nguyen, Y. Ahn, and B. Kim, “Integrated digital-twin-based decision support system for relocatable module allocation plan: Case study of relocatable modular school system,” Applied Sciences. 2025, doi: 10.3390/app15042211.
D. Petraki, I. Gazoulis, M. Kokkini, M. Danaskos, and l. Travlos, “Digital tools and decision support systems in agroecology: Benefits, challenges, and practical implementations,” Agronomy. 2025, doi: 10.3390/agronomy15010236.
R. P. Kumar and G. Karthikeyan, “A multi-objective optimization solution for distributed generation energy management in microgrids with hybrid energy sources and battery storage system,” J. Energy Storage, 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.est.2023.109702.
A. A. K. Al-Sahlawi, S. M. Ayob, C. W. Tan, H. M. Ridha, and D. M. Hachim, “Optimal design of grid-connected hybrid renewable energy system considering electric vehicle station using improved multi-objective optimization: Techno-Economic Perspectives,” Sustainability. doi: 10.3390/su16062491.
R. Nuvvula, E. Devaraj, and K. T. Srinivasa, “A comprehensive assessment of large-scale battery integrated hybrid renewable energy system to improve sustainability of a smart city,” Energy sources, part a Smart City, 2025, doi: 10.1080/15567036.2021.1905109.
K. Shafiei, A. Seifi, and M. T. Hagh, “A novel multi-objective optimization approach for resilience enhancement considering integrated energy systems with renewable energy, energy storage, energy sharing, and demand-side management,” J. Energy Storage, 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.est.2025.115966.
Q. Wang, A. Tuohy, M. Ortega-Vazquez, M. Bello, E. Ela, and R. Philbrick, “Quantifying the value of probabilistic forecasting for power system operation planning,” Applied Energy. 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121254.
M. Garau and B. N. Torsæter, “A methodology for optimal placement of energy hubs with electric vehicle charging stations and renewable generation,” Energy. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.132068.
M. C. Muñoz, M. A. Peñalba, and A. E. S. González, “Analysis of aggregated load consumption forecasting in short, medium and long term horizons using dynamic mode decomposition,” Energy Reports. 2024, doi: 10.1016/j.egyr.2024.06.040.
H. Ma, Y. Zhang, S. Sun, T. Liu, and Y. Shan, “A comprehensive survey on NSGA-II for multi-objective optimization and applications,” Artif. Intell. Rev., 2023, doi: 10.1007/s10462-023-10526-z.
X. Wang, H. Wang, B. Bhandari, and L. Cheng, “AI-empowered methods for smart energy consumption: A review of load forecasting, anomaly detection and demand response,” International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing-Green Technology. 2024, doi: 10.1007/s40684-023-00537-0.
S. C. Burmeister, D. Guericke, and G. Schryen, “A memetic NSGA-II for the multi-objective flexible job shop scheduling problem with real-time energy tariffs” Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal. 2024, doi: 10.1007/s10696-023-09517-7.
B. Cao, Y. Zhang, J. Zhao, X. Liu, and L. Skonieczny, “Recommendation based on large-scale many-objective optimization for the intelligent internet of things system,” IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 2021, doi: 10.1109/JIOT.2021.3104661.
Z. Yang, S. Bi, and Y. J. A. Zhang, “Online trajectory and resource optimization for stochastic UAV-enabled MEC systems,” IEEE Trans. Wirel., 2022, doi: 10.1109/TWC.2022.3142365.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Eduard Nugroho Theopilus, Budi Santosa

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
License and Copyright Agreement
In submitting the manuscript to the journal, the authors certify that:
- They are authorized by their co-authors to enter into these arrangements.
- The work described has not been formally published before, except in the form of an abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, thesis, or overlay journal. Please also carefully read the International Journal of Industrial Optimization (IJIO) Author Guidelines at http://journal2.uad.ac.id/index.php/ijio/about/submissions#onlineSubmissions
- That it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere,
- That its publication has been approved by all the author(s) and by the responsible authorities tacitly or explicitly of the institutes where the work has been carried out.
- They secure the right to reproduce any material that has already been published or copyrighted elsewhere.
- They agree to the following license and copyright agreement.
Copyright
Authors who publish with the International Journal of Industrial Optimization (IJIO) agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
1.png)
